2022 Chevrolet Blazer

Not much has changed for the Chevrolet Blazer since its reintroduction to society in 2019, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The attractive styling and surprisingly sporty handling have helped the crossover win the hearts of fans new and old. The capable turbo four-pot and V6 develop 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft and 308 hp and 270 lb-ft, respectively. And while it may go toe-to-toe with competitors like the Honda Passport or Ford Edge on the road, it falls a little behind in terms of passenger and cargo space. That said, it is a highly capable automobile that has what it takes to go the distance in the USA, where the brand is already eminently popular.

This is not the first time we've driven a V6-powered Blazer but it was nice to get behind the wheel once again to see how this hot-selling crossover has stood the test of time. Our week-long tester was a fully-equipped 2022 Blazer RS AWD. Having power going to all four wheels was a huge plus following several inches of snow falling to the ground. We also found ourselves impressed with the Blazer's generally solid overall build quality, slick styling inside and out, strong V6, and an array of standard safety features. But, the competition continues to improve and the Blazer's upcoming mid-life facelift should address this. Without question, the 2022 Blazer remains a solid choice but, once optional features are added, gets expensive very quickly.

Chevy certainly hit the nail on the head when designing the Blazer, so it is no surprise that the automaker opted not to mess with success. Drawing inspiration from the ever-popular Camaro, it has a large grille intersected by a middle bar hosting the Chevrolet golden bowtie (black on the RS). The Premier gets a lighter signature grille and silver-mounted roof rails, instead of the standard black and this year, it also gets dark rocker panels, front and rear fascias, and wheel-arch moldings. The chrome horizontal grille bar meets with the innermost points of the aggressively slanting headlights, which are supplemented with LED taillights and LED daytime running lights. All trims get HID headlights, while LED headlights are optionally available on the RS and Premier. A power panoramic sunroof is available on all trims except the 2LT. The wide wheel arches house 18-inch alloys as standard, but these can be upgraded to 20- or even 21-inch variants via the available appearance packages. A power programmable liftgate is standard on 3LT and a hands-free, gesture-controlled one on the trims above it.

The dimensions of the Blazer are pretty standard for the midsize segment, with a length of 191.4 inches accommodating a 112.7-inch wheelbase. It can fit into most parking bays without too much fuss thanks to its width of 76.7 inches, while the height of 67 inches offers a relatively good view of the road. But, like many more crossover-style vehicles, it is not the greatest off-roader with a ground clearance of just 7.4 inches, even on AWD models. The curb weight differs depending on the trim, drivetrain, and engine, ranging from 3,907 pounds on the front-wheel-drive 2LT up to 4,310 lbs on the all-wheel-drive Premier V6.

There have been some deletions and additions to the exterior palette for the new year. Still, there is a decent selection of ten colors across the range. The 2LT and 3LT trims have access to most of the hues: Black, Summit White, Silver Ice Metallic, Red Hot, Iron Gray Metallic, and Blue Glow Metallic - the last one new for this year. There are several premium paints, including Cayenne Orange Metallic ($395), Cherry Red Tintcoat ($495), and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat ($995). The RS gets access to six colors: Red Hot, Silver Ice, Black, Cherry Red, Iridescent Pearl and Nitro Yellow Metallic - the latter new and unique to this trim. All these trims can be had with a contrasting black roof too, but only with certain body colors per trim. However, on the 2LT and 3LT, this requires also selecting either the Midnight/Sport Edition or Redline Edition packages. The Premier can be had with any color except Nitro Yellow, Red Hot, and Cayenne Orange but it is not available with the black contrasting roof at all. Midnight Blue Metallic has been discontinued.

Our RS AWD tester came with the eye-catching Nitro Yellow Metallic exterior paint, a $395 option. The color looks fantastic with the also optional black two-tone roof rack ($550) and 21-inch gloss black aluminum wheels ($1,000).

There are two power plants to choose from this year, last year's asthmatic base engine having been dropped. The Blazer feels half as sporty as it looks with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which develops 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and can be had in FWD or AWD. It's the only engine offered on the 2LT base model. With this engine, the crossover can tow up to 1,500 lbs without the Trailering package and 3,500 lbs with it.

If you're after a little fire, you should not settle for anything less than the 3.6-liter V6 engine. With 308 hp and 270 lb-ft on tap, the Blazer can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 6.5 seconds, according to independent testing. We managed to achieve the exact same time. And, while top speed is limited to 130 mph, the stronger power plant allows for a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 lbs with the Trailering package - or 1,500 lbs without it. Overall, while Chevy's sporty crossover is zippier than your run-of-the-mill competitor, there are still several alternatives that deliver more thrills, such as the Ford Edge ST.

There is less choice when it comes to powering your midsize Chevy this year, but that's a good thing, as the weak 193-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine used last year has been dropped. The standard engine on the 2LT, 3LT, and Premier this year is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot. It can be paired with either the front- or all-wheel drivetrains and develops a decent 227 hp and 258 lb-ft. It may not thrill those seeking something as sporty as the high-rider's styling suggests, but it is powerful enough to get out of its own way.

Standard on the RS and available to the 3LT and Premier, the 3.6-liter V6 engine is the top pick for those who want the most fun from their Blazer. Producing 308 hp and 270 lb-ft for your choice of the front or all four wheels, it will get you where you need to go, lickety-split. While its base-line acceleration is nothing to write home about, it provides plenty of power on the move and feels right at home on the highway.

Mated to every available powertrain is a nine-speed automatic transmission. It is expertly tuned to deliver smooth shifts and never seems to struggle to find the correct gear for the situation. Never once did we notice this gearbox struggle as we increased speed. This is a lesson all automakers should take note of when engineering powertrains.

Designed to be more fun to drive than your average SUV, the Blazer certainly delivers, so long as you spec it correctly. Complementing each of the engines are responsive handling dynamics and a well-tuned nine-speed auto gearbox - definitely a recipe for success.

The steering is light and responsive around town, but it gains some pleasing heft at higher speeds, and feedback is better than we've come to expect from many modern crossovers. As for comfort, there is room for improvement, but only harsher road imperfections should cause any real problems for the suspension.

However, all of this is subject to change, depending on the drive mode you select when you opt for the AWD setup. The Blazer's drive-mode selector offers five choices in this regard. Tow/Haul is pretty self-explanatory, as is Off-road, which tweaks the chassis control systems for better grip over uneven terrain. The AWD option also improves grip but focuses on slippery road conditions. Tour mode will likely be your go-to option when commuting since it sends all the power to the front wheels only to optimize fuel economy. But, if you want a little fun around town or through fast sweeps, Sport mode increases steering effort and recalibrates the gearbox's shifts for more engagement.

If that last part sounds particularly appealing, then the V6-only RS trim might be right up your alley. It naturally comes with sport-tuned steering and suspension, offering firmer feedback and sharper responses. It also suffers less from body roll, something we almost immediately noticed.

How much you save or spend depends largely on how you configure your vehicle. The base four-cylinder engine can be paired with either FWD or AWD, returning an EPA-estimated 22/29/25 mpg or 22/27/24 mpg city/highway/combined, respectively. The V6 offers the same configurations but does not come close to boasting the same efficiency, with the FWD getting 19/27/22 mpg and the AWD 19/26/21 mpg. However, since the FWD configurations receive a smaller 19.4-gallon tank in comparison to the AWD's 21.7-gallon tank, the maximum range is achieved by the AWD turbo four-pot, which can travel up to 520 miles.

The cabin of the Blazer will feel like home to anyone who has owned a Camaro or taken one for a test drive. With styling drawn heavily from the aforementioned muscle car, the Blazer's interior is laid out with the driver in mind. The controls are all placed well within reach, and the center console creates images of sporty competition like BMWs of yesteryear. While the lower trims are a little more conservatively outfitted, build quality remains good all the way through the range. Not too many hard plastics are on direct display, with most high-traffic surfaces finished in soft-touch materials. However, the Chevrolet Blazer is not perfect, with less interior passenger and storage space than some of its rivals. But the trade-off is, of course, sportier styling. Road noise is very minimal thanks to standard active noise cancellation.

The midsize crossover has room for five within the cabin, but the stylishly sloping roofline comes at the cost of some headroom for those in the back. Still, there is loads of legroom to go around, and only those with a little giant DNA in their genome should struggle to fit comfortably. Getting in and out is a relatively simple affair, but the lack of headroom means taller folks may have to duck a little. Speccing on the available sunroof further compromises headroom, but it adds a certain level of stylish ambiance. The driver's seat is eight-way electrically adjustable across the board, while seat heating and ventilation can be added along the way, too. Outward visibility is good, and is further enhanced with the addition of blind-spot monitoring technology.

The interior of the Chevy is not overly lavish, at least not until you get up to the pricier trims. The 2LT trim gets premium cloth upholstery in a choice of Jet Black or Dark and Light Galvanized combination hues. The 3LT retains the same palette but upgrades to perforated leather upholstery. The RS trim dresses its seats in leather in Jet Black only, although it does add red stitching to the seats, and red trim to several dash elements, such as the air vents. The Premier offers Jet Black (our tester) or a combination Jet Black/Maple Sugar perforated leather. For the most part, the dash and door panels are covered in soft-touch materials and trimmed in aluminum.

The new Chevy Blazer is certainly fit for purpose as a practical crossover, with 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space provided behind the rear seats. This is more than enough for most daily requirements, but it falls a tad short of some rivals, like the Ford Edge, which presents buyers with a more spacious 39.2 cubic feet. If you do need more room for larger items like camping gear, then you can fold the rear seats down in a 60/40 split to free up a total of 64.2 cubic feet. Of course, this reduces overall passenger capacity to two.

Around the cabin, there is about as much small-item storage as you would expect from a crossover. Each row of seats gets a pair of cupholders, but the four dour pockets are a bit too narrow to service most needs, such as holding water bottles. The center armrest cubby and glove box can hold larger items, but they are not more than average in size.

The list of standard features certainly is not lacking, even on the 2LT trim. You'll find staples like a rearview camera, keyless entry and push-button start, cruise control, a manually tilting/telescoping steering column, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, power accessories, a color 4.2-inch driver-information display, and dual-zone climate control with rear-seat air vents. The 3LT adds an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, remote start, and a universal home remote. Standard safety features are comprehensive, even on the base 2LT, and include forward-collision avoidance, a following distance indicator, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. 3LT adds even more safety features, like blind-spot monitoring, lane change alert, rear park assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RS expands on this with an eight-inch driver-information center, a 120-volt power outlet, ambient interior lighting, and more optional tech than the lower-level trims get access to. This includes the ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats that come standard on the Premier.

Most of these RS options are contained in bundled packages, such as the Driver Confidence II pack found in our tester. For an extra $1,650, buyers will get a rear camera mirror with a washer, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, HD surround vision, and upgraded automatic emergency braking.

Chevrolet's patented infotainment suite is remarkably easy to use, and it comes programmed with loads of features even on the base model. Accessed via an eight-inch touchscreen, the system includes Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Amazon Alexa, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The base-level audio setup comprises a six-speaker sound system. You have to upgrade to the RS before anything else changes. This model and the Premier have the Infotainment 3 Plus system which adds navigation to the mix, along with enhanced voice recognition, in-vehicle app capability, the ability to connect two phones at once, and an HD color touchscreen. Two USB data ports and two charging ports come standard, but you can add an extra two along with an SD card reader, and a wireless charging pad via the available packages, as well as an eight-speaker premium Bose audio system.

Our tester further came equipped with the Enhanced Convenience Package for $1,660. For that price, you'll get memory settings for the seats, power tilt and telescopic steering, and an 8-speaker Bose Premium audio system.

In its reliability review for the 2022 Chevy Blazer, J.D. Power awarded it a strong score of 84 out of 100 overall and 85 for quality and reliability. However, in the US, three recalls were issued for 2020 models, relating to faulty tires that may fail, a potential transmission oil leak, and an inoperative curtain airbag. The 2021 model was recalled for incorrect bolts used for the seat belts. There have been no recalls for the 2022 Blazer at the time of writing. On the plus side, the high-rider boasts a great warranty plan. This comprises three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage, and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain and roadside assistance coverage. A single complimentary maintenance visit is offered within the first year of ownership.

The latest NHTSA review of the Chevrolet Blazer is as exemplary as it was last year, with the SUV earning a rating of five stars overall. Only the passenger-side frontal and rollover tests scored lower than perfect scores at four out of five stars. The IIHS gave it similar scores last year: Good in both the side-crash and moderate overlap front tests. However, there were no results for the 2022 model year at the time of writing.

While its crash test scores may not be the best, the Blazer does come with a fair number of passive and active safety features. Among the former, there are ABS, stability and traction control, and seven airbags: dual front, driver knee, front side, and side curtain. The active features on the 2LT include a rearview camera, a teen driver system, forward-collision alert, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Standard on the top-most trims are blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, and rear parking assist, while a surround-view camera, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and a safety alert seat can be added.

The Chevrolet Blazer is more than just a sexy piece of machinery. It offers a choice of two good engines, so it has the power to deliver a few thrills. On top of that, it has much of the practicality that makes crossovers so popular, such as a spacious interior and a large trunk. That said, however, there are several rivals out there that have it beat in both areas.

But when you combine these factors with engaging driving dynamics, a decent list of standard features, and decent fuel economy for the segment, you'd be hard-pressed to fault it for a shortcoming or two. The latest updates have also dropped last year's underpowered and under-specced base trims.

Often, you have to choose between practicality or fun, but Chevrolet says you can have your cake and eat it. So if you're going to throw a party, the Blazer should be your guest of honor, because very few crossovers can do as much as it does with the same degree of style and finesse. However, the one key area where Chevy hasn't delivered on - and it should - is value. A fully-loaded V6 Blazer RS AWD is not cheap. Read more about this below.

The loss of the L and 1LT trims has increased the price of entry to the Blazer range from last year's $28,800 for the L to this year's $33,400 for the front-wheel-drive 2LT with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The 3LT opens the bidding at $37,600 and can be upgraded with the V6 engine for an additional $500. The athletic RS carries a price of $41,100 in its V6-only guise, while the Premier costs exactly the same as a 2.0-liter turbo and $41,600 as a V6. All trims can alter their configurations by adding AWD; the 2LT and 3LT raise their cost by $2,700 each in this instance, while the RS and Premier go up by $2,900. These are MSRP prices and do not include tax, registration, licensing, or the $1,195 destination fee attributed to Chevrolet vehicles like the Blazer.

Our Blazer RS AWD came to a grand total of $50,585, including the destination charge. Do the quick math and that comes to around $5,500 worth of options. For a brand that prides itself on affordability and general bang for the bunk, we fail to find that here. Put another way, the slightly smaller but just as fun (if not more so) to drive BMW X3 can be nicely equipped for just over $51,000.

For 2022, the number of Chevrolet Blazer trims has been reduced from last year's six to four: 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier. There are two engine options available - a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 227 hp and a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 with 308 hp. The base 2LT can only be had with the 2.0-liter and the RS only with the V6. The other two trims can be had with either. All trims offer a choice of front- or all-wheel drive and they all share a common nine-speed automatic transmission.

The base 2LT runs on 18-inch alloy wheels and has automatic HID headlights, body-colored door handles and mirrors, and LED daytime running lights. Inside, it features cloth upholstery, an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, a 4.2-inch color driver-information display, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control with rear-seat vents, a manually tilting/telescoping steering column, push-button start, and cruise control. The infotainment system has an eight-inch touchscreen and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and a six-speaker audio system. Safety and driver assists include seven airbags, a backup camera, a teen driver system, forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and a following-distance indicator.

The 3LT adds to these features black roof rails, auto-dimming interior and exterior rear-view mirrors, and a power programmable liftgate. Inside, it gets leather trim on the seats and steering wheel, a six-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat, a universal home remote, and remote start. Added safety features are lane-change alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rea park assist.

The RS gets 20-inch alloy wheels, black exterior accents and badging, and a gesture-controlled hands-free liftgate. Inside, it gains an eight-inch driver-information display, ambient interior lighting, a 120-volt power outlet, navigation, enhanced voice recognition, dual-phone Bluetooth connectivity, two USB data ports, an HD infotainment display, and in-vehicle apps. It also gets access to more available options, such as a power-adjustable steering column, ventilated front seats, and heated outboard rear seats.

The Premier is the flagship trim silver roof rails, a model-specific grille, and dark treatment for its rocker panels, wheel-arch moldings, and front and rear fascias. Its front seats are ventilated and its outboard rear seats are heated. An eight-speaker Bose audio system is optional on all trims.

The Blazer is highly customizable. A noteworthy package from the extensive roster include the Convenience and Driver Confidence Package ($1,845) for the 2LT. This adds many desirable driver-assistance features, such as rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, lane change alert, and blind-spot monitoring, along with heated front seats, heated side mirrors, remote start functionality, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a programmable power liftgate. The 3LT can spec on the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 suite with navigation by opting for the Sound and Technology Package ($1,400). This also adds an eight-speaker Bose sound system, an SD card reader, a 360-degree camera, a rear camera mirror, and a 120-volt power outlet. The Bose sound system is also available to the RS via the Enhanced Convenience Package ($1,660), which further adds a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, ventilated front seats with driver-seat memory, and heated outboard rear seats. This year, this package is also offered on the Premier trim. The Trailering package that unlocks maximum towing capacity is standard from this year on all 2.0-liter AWD models.

If you don't want to skip the advanced driver-assistance tech, that rules out the 2LT. That leaves you with the 3LT, RS, and Premier, which are each quite close in price. You're probably going to add on the V6 engine anyway, so you might as well get the extras that come along with the RS or Premium. We recommend opting for the RS, which offers the most fun with the re-tuned suspension and tighter steering. You could stop there and be more than happy with your purchase, which will cost you $44k, but if you have a little extra cash leftover in your budget, the all-wheel drivetrain helps the crossover to deal with unexpected road conditions, or you could put that two grand towards upgrading the sound system and comfort features if you live in a perpetually sunny climate. Our only complaint about the RS trim is its high price tag.

The Blazer feels like a gauntlet thrown in the neverending feud between Chevy and Ford. With looks to match or even outclass the Edge, the Blazer is up against some stiff competition in the US. Unfortunately, even with its potent 308-hp V6 engine, it can't quite compete since the Edge is available in a high-performance ST variant. Developing 335 hp and 380 lb-ft, it races ahead of the Chevy, even though it only costs $2k more than the top-tier Blazer. However, even when looking at the base guises, the Edge ST has the edge in some areas, forgive the pun. It blows the Chevy away with its 39.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while still offering competitive gas mileage of 19/25/21 mpg against the Blazer V6 AWD's 19/26/21 mpg. In its attempts to look cooler than the competition, the Blazer made a few too many sacrifices in terms of practicality, which is why we believe the Ford Edge is still the smarter choice.

Revived from the dead, much like the Blazer, the Honda Passport is set to be one of its prime rivals. While it only offers a single engine, the power plant is almost on par with the Chevy's V6 at 280 hp and 262 lb-ft. The Blazer gets from 0 to 60 mph in around half a second less but falls short in maximum towing capacity by 500 lbs. Similarly equipped inside, the Passport has a bit more headroom to keep occupants from feeling claustrophobic, and it offers a whole lot more cargo space - 41.2 to 77.9 cubic feet depending on seat configuration. However, it can't claim to be particularly fuel-efficient at 20/25/22 mpg. So, if you need to move loads of people and stuff around town on a regular basis, the Passport seems like the winner, but if you want to do just about anything else, we recommend the Blazer.